Reacting to allegations raised by Dimapur unit of All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) against opening of booth booking system for taxis at Kohima, ANTA Kohima unit Monday clarified that the pre-paid booking system was a convenient measure for each taxi to get its due share to ply from Dimapur to Kohima and vice versa. “The ANTA Kohima Unit had at no point of time forced any of the taxi drivers as alleged by its Dimapur counterpart,” said a rejoinder issued by ANTA Kohima president Vivor Miachieo and general secretary Medo Keyie.They stated that pre-paid booking system was introduced with a view to solve the problem of tussling for passengers among the taxi drivers, saving time for intending travelers; to provide public convenience in tracing documents/valuable items left in a taxi; to ensure public/passenger safety from drunk drivers, as such drivers would be denied access to the system; and also to check artificial shortage of taxis and exorbitant taxi fares often created by some taxi drivers when there was less number of taxis.ANTA Kohima also clarified that collection of Rs.20 from each taxi driver was a nominal service charge, i.e. Rs.5 from each passenger’s fare, adding that the collected money was being used for installation of facilities like telephone in pre-paid booking system. Asserting that while passengers, taxi drivers and owners have expressed satisfaction over its services, ANTA Kohima stated that Dimapur unit’s “self styled” president Tohozhe Awomi and general secretary Ahoshe Chophi threatening to impose indefinite taxi bandh was against the interest of the public, which will not only cause loss to taxi owners but inconvenience to the public at large.Stating it would not be “cowed down” by the threat, ANTA Kohima further affirmed that it would continue with the pre-paid booking system and render “convenient services” to taxi drivers and the general public.